LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Outdoor Passion Play, one of the largest of such events in the country, will stage its 39th consecutive presentation at 4 p.m. on May 18 and 19.

The drama involves about 150 performers portraying the last days of Christ’s life on earth on a massive 85-acre outdoor setting on the shores of Clear Lake.

Rev. Philip J. Ryan and his then-fellow priest, Paul Moran, started the play on what was, in 1981, a private ranch owned by the Beltramo family.

The Lake County Passion Play formally incorporated in 1990. A few years after the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Red Beltramo in the late 1990s, the 85-acre ranch was purchased by the organization. All cast and crew members are volunteers as are the Lake County Passion Play Board of Directors.

“This year’s performance will be offered not only as a witness of the cast and crew’s faith in Him crucified, but also out of remembrance for all our loved ones who have past – especially our late producer, Father Philip J. Ryan whose death was in December 2017,” said Rob Haun who has been the director of the Play for over 10 years.

As Father Ryan has said in the past, “The ground level, where the audience sits, is the perfect setting. It is all flat, so people can see.”

The performances take place on various stages and hillsides accompanied by an outdoor sound system. Attendees should bring their own outdoor chairs.

In keeping with the tradition of the first passion plays started in the 13th century, the Lake County Passion Play also instructs all faithful Christians about the key aspect of our faith: God so loved his creation that He sent us only Son to suffer and die for the remission of sin. The play is presented as a prayer and an act of love by the cast and crew.

Some have compared the Lake County Passion Play to others such as at Oberammergau in Germany; Spearfish, South Dakota; and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Their response has been that the Lake County Play is by far the best.

The hills and the rocks of Lake County are very similar to that of the Holy Land. The handmade costumes are simple, yet colorful. The cast and crew work hard every year to capture the essence of life as it was when Jesus walked the Earth.

Smoking, food, drinks and pets are prohibited. The penitential nature of the performance is not for eating. Local spring water is available as are bathroom facilities.

There are only two performances – in English – lasting about two hours each. Admission continues to be free, as requested by the Beltramo family, but helpful donations are accepted.

As part of their conviction, and after Ryan’s example, the cast and crew members continue the work of maintaining the Passion Play grounds throughout the year.

The many wildfires in Lake County over the past four years have not broken the spirit of the people determined to continue presenting the play.

Organizers say it is only by the grace of God, and the wonderful support of local firefighters that the grounds were not completely burned after an accident last year that started a small grass fire on the grounds.

In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta, “Come and see,” – and organizers invite community members “to allow the Holy Spirit to work by watching how Jesus suffered and died for each one of us.”